Bay to Bay 15k
Josh and relay team Tanja-Andrew
Sunday 10 January 2010
The first road race of the year! I was excited and nervous - mostly nervous - because my longest training run over the last 6 weeks or so was just 6.5km; and I hadn't trained or run much over the holidays, particularly as we were in Kenya. Josh did the full 30km, and I did the 15k relay race with Andrew. I chose to do the first leg, from Camps Bay/ Maidens Cove to Hout Bay, a long gradual ascent (as opposed to the return route which had an initial steep hill, then downhill the rest of the way). I preferred to do the first leg, to get it over and done with, but also because I prefer running at 6am. Andrew was lucky though because by the time he started his leg at 7.40am it was actually quite cool and slightly misty.
My 15km PB is 100 minutes (Mamre 2009). Since this was a fairly tough and very hilly course, and I don't consider myself to be in condition at the moment, I thought it would take me at least 10 minutes longer. I was pleasantly surprised that my final time was 1h40 (100 minutes!) By the time I got to the top of Suikerbossie I felt fantastic and coasted all the way downhill to the finish. I suspect the high altitude running in Kenya (short as it was) had something to do with it.
Apart from a slightly sore achilles tendon (because of the sudden increase in distance), I feel great! Looking forward to a great running year after a fantastic start. Next race is Hohrenhort 15k in Constantia on Saturday.
The first road race of the year! I was excited and nervous - mostly nervous - because my longest training run over the last 6 weeks or so was just 6.5km; and I hadn't trained or run much over the holidays, particularly as we were in Kenya. Josh did the full 30km, and I did the 15k relay race with Andrew. I chose to do the first leg, from Camps Bay/ Maidens Cove to Hout Bay, a long gradual ascent (as opposed to the return route which had an initial steep hill, then downhill the rest of the way). I preferred to do the first leg, to get it over and done with, but also because I prefer running at 6am. Andrew was lucky though because by the time he started his leg at 7.40am it was actually quite cool and slightly misty.
My 15km PB is 100 minutes (Mamre 2009). Since this was a fairly tough and very hilly course, and I don't consider myself to be in condition at the moment, I thought it would take me at least 10 minutes longer. I was pleasantly surprised that my final time was 1h40 (100 minutes!) By the time I got to the top of Suikerbossie I felt fantastic and coasted all the way downhill to the finish. I suspect the high altitude running in Kenya (short as it was) had something to do with it.
Apart from a slightly sore achilles tendon (because of the sudden increase in distance), I feel great! Looking forward to a great running year after a fantastic start. Next race is Hohrenhort 15k in Constantia on Saturday.
Our (me and Josh) 2009 medals !
